The city that never stopped debating.
Discover carefully curated public lectures, author talks, debates and intellectual events in Paris, France — selected by The Mindful City editorial team.
Last updated: August 10, 2026
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie · Shakespeare and Company Bookshop · August 12, 2026
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie reads from her latest novel and discusses storytelling across languages and cultures. The event includes a short Q&A and a book signing session after the r…
Hans Ulrich Obrist · Centre Pompidou · August 12, 2026
Curator Hans Ulrich Obrist reflects on evolving curatorial practices and interdisciplinary exhibitions in the 21st century. The talk will be illustrated with projects and include a…
Kate Crawford · Centre Pompidou · August 12, 2026
AI scholar Kate Crawford examines how algorithmic systems reshape artistic practice and public space, drawing on recent exhibitions and research. The talk will be followed by a pan…
Anne Applebaum · Institut du Monde Arabe · August 12, 2026
Historian and journalist Anne Applebaum explores contemporary authoritarian movements and their cultural foundations across regions. A moderated discussion will consider policy res…
Amin Maalouf · Institut du Monde Arabe · August 12, 2026
Amin Maalouf explores themes of exile, identity, and cross-cultural memory in a public conversation at the Institut du Monde Arabe. The talk will situate personal narrative within …
Bruno Maçães · Sciences Po · August 12, 2026
Author and analyst Bruno Maçães discusses Europe's strategic choices in a shifting global technological landscape. The session frames policy prescriptions for researchers and stude…
Leïla Slimani · Institut du Monde Arabe · August 12, 2026
Leïla Slimani explores themes of identity and migration in modern francophone and Arab literature. She will reflect on storytelling as a means of political and cultural testimony.
Ian McEwan · Shakespeare and Company Bookshop · August 12, 2026
Ian McEwan reads from his forthcoming novel and discusses the moral questions that shape his characters. The evening concludes with a moderated Q&A about memory, narrative, and res…
Kamel Daoud · Institut du Monde Arabe · August 12, 2026
Algerian novelist and essayist Kamel Daoud explores contemporary North African literature as a space for historical reappraisal and social debate. He will read excerpts and engage …
Hans Ulrich Obrist · Centre Pompidou (Forum) · August 12, 2026
Renowned curator Hans Ulrich Obrist examines evolving curatorial methods amid global networks and digital platforms. The lecture pairs examples from major exhibitions with an open …
Alain de Botton · Shakespeare and Company Bookshop · August 14, 2026
Alain de Botton offers a public talk on how philosophy can inform modern urban life, relationships, and work. The program includes a conversation with a Paris-based philosopher and…
Amin Maalouf · Institut du Monde Arabe · August 15, 2026
Amin Maalouf explores the layered histories and identities of the Mediterranean basin and the cultural exchanges that shaped its cities. The lecture will be followed by a moderated…
Mary Beard · Shakespeare and Company · August 15, 2026
Mary Beard will read from her forthcoming book and discuss how new archaeological discoveries are reshaping our view of ancient Rome. The event includes a short Q&A and an informal…
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie · Shakespeare and Company Bookshop · August 15, 2026
Renowned novelist and essayist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie reads from her latest essays and answers audience questions. The event will be in English and followed by a short book signi…
Arundhati Roy · Maison de la Poésie · August 18, 2026
Author and activist Arundhati Roy gives a reading and discusses literature as a form of political resistance and solidarity. The program includes a post-event conversation with a j…
Riad Sattouf · Centre Pompidou (Galerie Talks) · August 18, 2026
Cartoonist and filmmaker Riad Sattouf discusses his graphic work on adolescence, migration, and urban life in France. The talk includes a drawing demonstration and audience Q&A.
Yuval Noah Harari · Centre Pompidou · August 18, 2026
Yuval Noah Harari discusses the cultural and ethical implications of AI and biotechnology for storytelling and labour in the twenty-first century. He will examine how narratives sh…
Didier Eribon · Centre Pompidou · August 18, 2026
Sociologist Didier Eribon discusses his influential work on class, sexuality, and political identity in modern France. The presentation will be paired with a debate featuring young…
Christiane Amanpour · Institut du Monde Arabe · August 18, 2026
Veteran international journalist Christiane Amanpour discusses the challenges of reporting on conflict, diplomacy, and human rights across the Arab world. A moderated conversation …
Mary Beard · Centre Pompidou · August 18, 2026
Classicist Mary Beard examines the continuing relevance of ancient texts to contemporary cultural debates in art and public life. The lecture will be followed by a moderated discus…